Europe Is Really, Really Close to Banning Teens From Social Media

Europe is attempting to pass an absurd new law that would prohibit kids under the age of 16 from using social media unless they have explicit permission from their parents. This law, it goes without saying, would be terrible for everyone.

According to a study conducted last year, 71% of teens (!) use more than one social network site; that figure has likely only increased. It's not a stretch to say that this change will impact millions. Are there downsides to social media? Well, sure. But all of the so-called issues surrounding teens' usage of social media — bullying, hacking, sexting, etc. — existed long before the invention of Snapchat and Instagram. And the disadvantages caused by taking away social media from today's adolescents, a generation that heavily relies on platforms like Tumblr, Twitter, and Facebook to form and figure out their own identities, would be far more harmful.

As MTV's Taylor Trudon points out, "This policy isn’t protecting teens. It’s silencing their voices and for many, is directly depriving them from support systems and life-saving resources." Larry Magid, tech journalist and CEO of ConnectSafely.org, echoed the sentiment on Huffington Post, “I worry that it could actually endanger and disenfranchise young people at the very time when we should be doubling down on their engagement in social media and world events.” Magid couldn’t be more correct with his concerns.

Like most countries, the European Data Protection Regulation currently has a law in place that bans kids under 13 from using social media. Even that frankly sounds a little outdated at this point, considering the average 13-year-old has a better understanding of Snapchat than someone twice that age, but putting the age cap at 16 is inconceivable.

The new law is expected to be signed by the government tomorrow. That means it's not too late to speak up.